Greetings all, I apologise for the lack of posting I will try my upmost to make up for this in the coming weeks. This week has been full of outstanding performances and phenomenal games and in all the game that I have seen, I have concluded that this may be the best draft class of the century so far. Eclipsing the dream 2004 draft of Alex Smith, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Phillip Rivers and Big Ben etc. Quarterbacks such as Allen, Darnold and Baker Mayfield are an example of the intriguing future of the NFL. However, none of them were even the top prospect. Saquon Barkley, Running Back for the New York Giants continues to outperform himself every week and stands to only improve. He is the Giants best relief receiver and best rusher they have had ever, according to Nate Burleson.

​The Seattle Seahawks were away to the Carolina Panthers in a highly anticipated and potentially play-off deciding game. I would give the MVP of the game to Christian McCaffery (RB) of the Carolina Panthers. With the proud record of the first Panther to achieve over 100 yards in both receiving and rushing yards in the same game. He also ran for and caught for a touchdown. The Seahawks ran out victorious 30-27 with a last-minute field goal from Janikowski. It was an enthralling battle between two Quarterbacks who were talked about in previous years as the best play extenders in the league. Cam Newton, who threw for 256 yards (with a 25/30 completion rate) and two touchdowns. Russell Wilson, however, threw for a superior 339 yards (22/31 comp.) and two touchdowns too. Both teams looked promising and the Seahawks are now cementing themselves firmly in the playoff picture and the Panthers will need to be resilient and go again in week 14 as they have the opportunity to rest up and recuperate with a bye week.

Some of the most intriguing games took place on Thanksgiving afternoon, the Bears tore the Lions apart further solidifying their stance as the premier side in the NFC North with the 23-16 win in Detroit. The New Orleans Saints keep the steam train rolling and collect their 10th win in a row with a 31-17 victory over Matt Ryan’s struggling Atlanta Falcons. The other game of Thanksgiving Thursday was the division showdown of the NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys face off with the Washington Redskins. It finished 31-23 to the Cowboys with Amari Cooper showing fans that he is worth the 1st Round draft pick the Raiders received for him. The Wide Receiver went off for 180 receiving yards, the most of a Cowboy since 2012, and 2 TDs.

This week’s games were full of tight finishes. The New York Giants, who were off the back of a two week win streak, suffered a damaging divisional loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, with Saquon Barkley starring again. Eli looked better than the aging battered old War veteran we have seen in the last few games. Jake Elliot, who won a game for the Eagles against Big Blue in similar circumstances last season, kicked the Eagles into the league in the dying embers of the game. This game was another key one in the playoff hunt for these two teams, the Giants looking almost dead in the water whilst the Eagles gifted a little bit of hope for the postseason.

There was a good weekend for the rookie QB’s as Josh Allen (BUF), Baker Mayfield (CLE) and Lamar Jackson (BAL) all received a W this weekend against the Jaguars, Bengals and the Raiders respectively. This is shaping up to be the season of the gunslingers. The Steelers also suffered a worrying loss against the Denver Broncos 24-17 in what was a highly anticipated fixture, the budding offence of Pittsburgh with James Connor as the constant reminder that the Steelers do not live and die by Le’veon Bell.

Other results from the weekend include a Chargers’ win over the Cardinals 45-10, the Green Bay Packers suffering a tough division loss to the Minnesota Vikings 24-17, the Colts lasting out the Dolphins 27-21, the Patriots answering the critics in a terrific performance with Gronk back to connect with Tom Brady for a 27-13 victory against the New York Jets to ensure people don’t count them out of the picture. Also, the Bucs played the 49ers in a best of the worst scenario, 27-9 to Tampa Bay was the outcome, both sides looking to improve on results this season for next year.

Finally, on Monday Night Football, the Houston Texans stormed through the Tennessee Titans 34-17, with Lamar Miller providing what seemed like one of the runs of the season with a 97-yard TD charge in what was the longest TD run since Miller went the same distance in 2014. The Texans kept their promising run of 8 straight wins alive and hope to continue this stellar form which has placed them on to of the AFC South.​So, overall, lots of twists and turns in the playoff picture, tight finishes, fantastic plays and immense performances. Just your typical NFL Week 11, AND neither the Chiefs nor the Rams were in action. Be sure to come back next week for another round up of the weeks NFL action. Let’s go Cowboys!!!!!!!!!!!

Author

Liam Grimley

About The Blog

This blog will delve into the happenings around the NFL each week. We, at the Craigavon Cowboys know how much passion our followers have for the game of American Football and will aim to distribute a unique perspective on all the action of the past 7 days.